Care of the Earth

Caring for all of God's creatures

“The destruction of the human environment is extremely serious, not only because God has entrusted the world to us men and women, but because human life is itself a gift which must be defended from various forms of debasement...All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.” - Pope Francis’s 2015 Encyclical, Laudato Si

Taking Action Steps

Each sister congregation lives out their promise to care for Earth in a different way. Some sisters take vows to reduce their carbon footprint by making wise clothing choices, buying minimally packaged items, eating local and choosing public transportation over personal car when able. Many sister congregations have begun to invest in renewable energy, converting their existing buildings and structures to harness the use of solar energy, wind energy and geothermal heating and cooling.

Other sisters partner in prayer and response with non-profits who help local citizens or indigenous peoples protect their lands and natural resources from destruction. Many sisters can be found organizing and engaging in justice activities like climate change marches and public protests of pipeline construction and mining practices.

Many sisters have created, sponsored or served various local organic farming projects that use land in an environmentally conscious way. These sister-sponsored farms share thousands of pounds of organic food each year with shareholders, food pantries and persons who are financially poor and hungry in their community. The sisters have also responded to clean water needs in developing nations by funding water filtration projects.

The Charity Earth Network is an organization of Sisters and Associates who are interested in reflecting on ecology and sustainability, sharing information and resources, and supporting one another in advocacy efforts for a more sustainable Earth.

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About the Federation

The Sisters of Charity Federation of North America is a voluntary membership association of 13 congregations of women religious that number over 2,700 sisters. Impelled by Christ’s love and joined together in the mission of Charity, we respond to the cries of people living in poverty and on the margins.